The field of Geotechnical Engineering, as a partial preparation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering, covers the subject matter decribed below. Although the requirement is defined in terms of a list of subjects and/or recommended reading, emphasis is placed on an understanding of the fundamentals of the areas studied, and on the ability to correlate and apply the acquired knowledge.

References Textbooks

1. Lambe, T.W. and R.V. Whitman, Soil Mechanics, Si Version, Wiley, 1979.
2. Terzaghi,K., R.B. Peck, and G. Mesri, Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice, 2nd Edition, Wiley, 1996.
3. Taylor, D.W., Fundamentals of Soil Mechanics, Wiley, 1948.
4. Terzaghi, K., Theoretical Soil Mechanics, Wiley, 1943.
5. Foundations, Prentice Hall, 1970.
6. Tschebotarioff, G.P., Foundations, Retaining and Earth Structures, 2nd Edition, McGraw Hill, 1973.
7. Mitchell, J.K., Fundamentals of Soil Behavior, Wiley, 2nd Edition, 1993.

Petrograph is a program specifically developed to help the user to visualize, elaborate and in particular to model geochemical data. The source code is written in MS Visual Basic 6.0 and it runs under Windows 98/2000/XP platforms.

The software is able to plot data on several different diagrams, including a large number of classification and ´petro-tectonic´ plots. Petrograph gives the opportunity to manage large geochemical datasets in a single program without the need of passing from one software to the other as usually happens in petrologic data handling. Along with these basic functions, Petrograph comes with wide choice of modelling capabilities from major element mass balance calculations to the most common trace element and isotope models. Results and graphs can be exported as vector graphics in publication quality form or they can be copied and pasted within the most common graphics programs for further modifications. All these features makes of Petrograph one of the most complete software presently available for igneous petrology research.

Petrograph can be downloaded from the following URL : http://www.unipg.it/~maurip/SOFTWARE.htm

Geological storage of CO2 in the subsurface can give an important contribution in reducing the global climate changes. In order to do that, the Norwegian research community has to develop four entirely new techniques and methods. This short article gives an overview of what type of research NGI is involved on the CO2 front.

The percentage of the greenhouse gas CO2 in the atmosphere has increased radically during the last 100 years. This development is about to create global climate changes. Storing CO2 in the subsurface can give an important contribution to reduce the emission of CO2 into the atmosphere and therefore contribute to a solution of the climate problems. There is a technological race taking place to develop the needed technology and methods for the time being in the following areas:

- CO2 must be trapped and cleaned from exhaust gasses effectively and economically
- Suitable storage sites must be located/discovered and characterised
- Safe techniques must be developed for the injection of the CO2 into the target reservoir
- Methodsv must be developed  to monitor the behavior of CO2 in the reservoir and subsurface